Worksheet 1. Evolution in Planning: Toward New Ways of Thinking

In each row, check the column (left or right) that best describes the prevailing philosophy in your agency. Are you traditional? Or are you moving towards the new thinking? Each member of the planning team should answer individually. Then, compare and discuss your points of agreement and disagreement.

TRADITIONAL PLANNING: PLANNING AS CENTRAL CONTROL (TAKING POWER)

NEW THINKING: PLANNING AS RECOGNIZING/SETTING ROLES RESPONSABILITIES AND BENEFITS

Planning is the government's blueprint to move the country in directions proposed by government planners.

Planning is the government's method of learning how it can support local communities, private enterprises, and other non-governmental interests.

Planning concentrates on economic growth. Its framework and tools are mainly those of economics.

Planning tries to harmonize economic growth, social equity, and environmental quality. Its frameworks and tools are highly multi-disciplinary.

The product of a planning exercise is a document called a "plan."

Planning does not always lead to a formal "plan." Alternative products of planning include organizational charts, budgets, and memoranda on desired actions.

Governments first establish high-level policies, and then draw up plans to fulfill them.

Policies and plans are mixed and overlapping. Policies are impractical without attention to how they will be implemented (i.e., through planning).

Planning is about inventing an entirely different and wonderful future (a Utopian dream).

Planning moves forward in small and incremental steps. Planning creates a better future by working to overcome practical problems in the present.

The planning team spends most of its time in the office to study documents and write a plan.

The planning team spends most of its time in other agencies and with interest groups to learn what they want, and why.

The main responsibility for planning is with professional planners, who prepare plans for the chief administrator.

The main responsibility for planning is with your director, who calls upon the whole organization to contribute to the planning.

Planning is a sequential and hierarchical process that ends when a plan is officially approved.

Planning is a circular and iterative process of many simultaneous actions, and it never ends.

A good plan can take years to write.

Writing a plan take just a few days. But it can take months of fact-finding, meetings, and consultations to know what to put into it.

TRADITIONAL PLANNING: PLANNING AS CENTRAL CONTROL (TAKING POWER)	NEW THINKING: PLANNING AS RECOGNIZING/SETTING ROLES RESPONSABILITIES AND BENEFITS
Planning is the government's blueprint to move the country in directions proposed by government planners.	Planning is the government's method of learning how it can support local communities, private enterprises, and other non-governmental interests.
Planning concentrates on economic growth. Its framework and tools are mainly those of economics.	Planning tries to harmonize economic growth, social equity, and environmental quality. Its frameworks and tools are highly multi-disciplinary.
The product of a planning exercise is a document called a "plan."	Planning does not always lead to a formal "plan." Alternative products of planning include organizational charts, budgets, and memoranda on desired actions.
Governments first establish high-level policies, and then draw up plans to fulfill them.	Policies and plans are mixed and overlapping. Policies are impractical without attention to how they will be implemented (i.e., through planning).
Planning is about inventing an entirely different and wonderful future (a Utopian dream).	Planning moves forward in small and incremental steps. Planning creates a better future by working to overcome practical problems in the present.
The planning team spends most of its time in the office to study documents and write a plan.	The planning team spends most of its time in other agencies and with interest groups to learn what they want, and why.
The main responsibility for planning is with professional planners, who prepare plans for the chief administrator.	The main responsibility for planning is with your director, who calls upon the whole organization to contribute to the planning.
Planning is a sequential and hierarchical process that ends when a plan is officially approved.	Planning is a circular and iterative process of many simultaneous actions, and it never ends.
A good plan can take years to write.	Writing a plan take just a few days. But it can take months of fact-finding, meetings, and consultations to know what to put into it.